Savage Words: I’ve got a Sash, he’s got an Emmy

Unless you’re into Badminton and Curling, you’ve likely never heard of Jim Kozimor.

But Jim is a friend, and one of the best sports broadcasters I’ve ever worked with.

He received an Emmy Award earlier this month for his play-by-play of the Badminton tournament at the Summer Olympics in Paris in 2024, but his talents go far beyond that.

Jim started in the CBA, just like I did at the Skyforce. I started in 1996 in the PR department, he started as the play-by-play announcer of the San Jose Jammers in 1989. Obviously, he’s got a couple of years on me in the professional sports world.

But it was in 1997 when our worlds collided. I was named the Director of Public Relations for the Houston Comets of the newly-formed WNBA. Jim was already in Houston, serving as an announcer on the NBA Rockets broadcasts. He subsequently was given the play-by-play duties for the Comets in the summer of 1997.

I got the job with the Comets, woefully unqualified. I must have interviewed well to get that job. I got to Houston after spending two years as the Sports Information Director at USF, and then two with the Skyforce. Needless to say, I was not equipped to take on that Houston job and the amount of attention it received.

Jim probably doesn’t know it, but he helped me so much that first year in Houston. He pulled me aside a few times, I suppose sensing that I was in over my head. He showed me a few things, pointed me in the right direction in terms of protocol and the way to do things “the NBA way.”

I went to USF as a student in fall of 1987 in hopes of someday becoming a play-by-play announcer on the collegiate or NBA level. I eventually switched my major from broadcast journalism to print journalism, and I’m thankful that decision has served me well. 

But initially, calling games on the radio is all I wanted to do, and I practiced like crazy. Fortunately, I was able to do the play-by-play at USF when I was working for the Cougars on a tiny little radio station in Sioux Falls. I knew that wasn’t enough. 

Before I worked for the Skyforce, the front office staff was kind enough to give me credentials for a couple of games. I went high up into the press box at the old Sioux Falls Arena and called the games into an old cassette recorder, as if I was doing it live on the radio. I was building my resume.

It was no different when I went to Houston. Although my job was in PR and I was tasked with writing quite a bit, my dream was still somehow to parlay that PR job into a broadcasting career.

One of my first days in Houston, Jim invited me to sit with him at the scorer’s table during a Rockets game. He gave me a set of headphones to listen to him as he called the game.

I left that night, both exhilarated, and sad. Exhilarated because I just watched my first NBA game from the scorer’s table, and I took it all in. Sad, because I knew after listening to Jim that I could never do what he just did. I simply didn’t have the skill set that he had, and it was so effortless for him. I still admire it, and I’m in awe of what he can do.

He’s called countless games in the NBA, WNBA, college football, basketball, baseball, volleyball and so much more for both national radio and television broadcasts. No doubt if you’ve watched or listened to some major college games in recent years, you’ve heard Jim call it. 

His career is complete, and I’m proud of him.

He and his family drove through Sioux Falls a few weeks ago, and we had dinner. Jim and I were inseparable in 1997 and 1998 when we were with the Comets. I later was the Best Man in his wedding. Nancy and I are Godparents to his twin daughters.

I suppose time and miles have lessened the bond over the years, unfortunately. 

When he was in Sioux Falls, he already knew about his Emmy, but he said nothing. It’s his fourth afterall, so I’m sure it wasn’t front of mind. Plus, Jim is humble, unlike many national broadcasters I’ve worked with over the years.

In the fall of 1997, the Rockets and Comets front office had a company picnic. It was a typical picnic with everyone bringing their favorite dish filled with laughter and congregation. Towards the end of the afternoon, the HR department gave out a handful of awards. I won a red sash for “Funniest Person in the Office.”

I still have that sash, and I remind Jim about it all the time, much to his dismay.

When he was back in Sioux Falls two weeks ago, I still made him laugh. That made me happy, because I’m still in awe of him.

His career is complete, and I couldn’t be happier for him.

I’m going to do my best to continue to strengthen our friendship. We’ve got an Emmy and a Sash to keep building upon.